About Rotary in Ireland
Service above self — across 66 clubs from Antrim to Youghal, Castlebar to Carrickfergus. The only Rotary district that spans the whole island of Ireland.
People of action, in every corner of the country
Rotary in Ireland brings together people from every walk of life who share a commitment to service. We’re part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.2 million members in over 200 countries — but we’re also distinctly local. Our clubs reflect the towns and cities they serve.
From Antrim to Youghal, Castlebar to Carrickfergus, our 66 clubs give their time, skills, and energy to improve lives — in their own communities and around the world.
Every week, Rotarians across Ireland are doing practical things: sorting coats for families in need, building Christmas hampers, organising fundraising events, supporting peace work, and underwriting international projects in clean water, education, and health. The pattern is everywhere different. The principle is everywhere the same.
A century of work, lived locally
Service in seven directions
Our work spans Rotary’s seven international areas of focus — promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting mothers and children, growing local economies, protecting the environment, and supporting basic education and literacy.
In Ireland that translates into youth leadership programmes, mental health initiatives, disaster response, polio fundraising, environmental projects, scholarships and exchanges, and dozens of locally-chosen projects each club runs every year.
Clubs choose what they care about. The District provides the framework, the funding pathways, and the connections — between clubs, between Ireland and the rest of the Rotary world.
Service Above Self — and the Four-Way Test
Rotary’s guiding principle is Service Above Self. We apply the Four-Way Test — four questions Rotarians use as a simple ethical filter for everything we do, individually and as clubs.
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These aren’t words on a wall. They shape how clubs operate, how members treat one another, and how we engage with our communities — in business, in service, and at the meeting table.
District 1160 — the only district that spans the whole island
Rotary in Ireland operates as District 1160, one of the Rotary districts within Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (Rotary GB&I). We are the only Rotary district covering the entire island of Ireland — both the Republic and Northern Ireland — which gives us a uniquely cross-border perspective on community work, peacebuilding, and service.
The District is led by a District Governor, supported by a leadership team of Assistant Governors, committee chairs, and volunteers who coordinate programmes, training, and support across all 66 clubs.
Six routes into our work
There’s a lot going on across District 1160. Here’s where to start, depending on what you’re curious about.
Whatever brought you here — we’d like to meet you.
Whether you’re a community-minded professional, a retiree looking for purpose, a young person who wants to make a difference, or a business looking to put its values into action, there’s a place for you in Rotary.